Boundary news

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prompts criticism from China with visit to disputed border area

(27 February 2015)

A visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Arunachal Pradesh, a state in north-eastern India partially claimed by China and bordering Tibet, drew heavy criticism from the Chinese government. China lodged a diplomatic complaint with the Indian ambassador in Beijing, with the Chinese deputy foreign minister Lui Zhenmin noting that the visit harmed China’s territorial integrity and rights” and “went against the consensus both sides had of properly handling the border issue.”

The disputed border dates back to British colonial administrators, who established the border with Tibet at the McMahon Line in the Himalayan mountains, a claim disputed by China since 1950 when it regained control of Tibet. However, China recently prompted criticism by India when Chinese troops clashed with Indian forces in the disputed border region during an official state visit from President Xi Jinping of China to India.

The Chinese complaint follows a visit by US President Obama to India last month, where China’s increasing focus on territorial disputes was discussed.